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Thursday, February 14, 2013

ISLAND // Review & Giveaway!!

It's absolutely no secret that I'm a huge fan of both Jane Richmond and of her work. If you've ever had the chance to meet her or to knit one of her patterns then you already know that they are just lovely. I've knit and completed I think 7 of her designs and have at least another 3 or 4 more currently on the needles. I really don't think I have to even say it, but Jane is definitely one of my favourite knitwear designers.When I found out last year that Jane was self-publishing her first book, a collection of designs inspired by the picturesque island that we both live on, I knew I was going to love it. And after seeing the sneak peeks and ultimately the beautiful video put together by Jane's partner in crime, Shannon (of Luvinthemommyhood fame), I knew that I was going to have to get my grabby little hands on a book. If you been reading this blog for a while, then you know exactly what I did when I got a book. If not, you can read about that llittle tidbit here.So anyhoo, when Jane emailed me asking if I would like to be a part of her ISLAND blog tour (I squee'd and took the moment to dance a little jig), you can bet that I didn't even have to think about it. Of course the answer was going to be yes!!

In case you haven't had the chance to take a look at ISLAND, it's a beautiful collection of 5 pieces all inspired by life on Vancouver Island. This collection contains something for everyone: a pair of fingerless mitts, a cowl, a hat, a scarf, and a cardigan. Each piece designed in true Jane Richmond style - they all have a timeless, elegant look that will cater to any age group for any occasion.If the patterns weren't enough, the photography and the book itself are absolutely stunning. Jane was aiming for a coffee table book aesthetics and ISLAND is definitely there. I had a non-knitterly friend over for a visit and the book caught her eye, it didn't dawn on her that she was flipping through a knitting pattern book until she reached the last page and realized she was looking at a pattern. All photography is done by Jane's brother, Nicholas Kupiak, who proves he has an amazing eye for capturing the beauty that Vancouver Island has to offer. That beauty is only matched by the equally gorgeous model, Kylee Shaw, who exquisitely shows off each piece of the collection perfectly.:: Rathtrevor ::

A simple pair of fingerless mitts with beaded ribbing detail on the extended cuffs. Perfect for everyday wear and to whip up as a last minute gift!

:: Renfrew ::

A customizable hat shown in the slouchy style, its reverse stockinette perfectly highlights the beautiful mock cable panel that runs along the side.

:: Strathcona ::

An elegant lace mesh scarf with sloped garter ends. Knit in a solid shade for a truly timeless addition to your wardrobe, or knit in a tonal or even a variegated for something funky. Either way, this design is truly a must-have transitional piece for all seasons.

:: Arbutus ::

A uniquely constructed cowl consisting of short rows to create stacks of fabric for the look of a double wrapped cowl but without the bulk. Seriously, the perfect pattern to knit up using that special skein of DK weight yarn that you've been saving!

:: Grace ::

My absolutely favourite design out of the entire collection! Grace has all the elements that make it a true Jane Richmond design: it's a top-down classic raglan cardigan that's semi-fitted with enough detail in the simple lace yoke that you can wear season after season. As with all of Jane's cardigan designs, this one will also be a closet staple that you will find yourself wearing year after year!

I'm going to let you in on something. Shhhh! I secretly wish that Jane will stop publishing cardigan patterns for a few years just so that I can have the time to knit up a Grace cardigan (and a Georgia...and an Audrey) in every colour. I know that sounds extremely selfish of me to say, but I really do want a Grace in a kelly green, a cobalt blue, and possibly a saffron yellow. Oh heck, why not throw in a Grace in a heathered grey too. I was really hoping to have my Grace ready and photographed for this post, but sadly I'm still on a button hunt. I thought I found the perfect buttons last week, but now I'm not so sure. It's killing me that my cardigan doesn't have buttons yet as I'm dying to wear it. Or at least, to wear it out of the house. Yes, I will admit that I've been wearing it around the house, but should really stop so that it will still look "fresh off the needles" by the time I get around to taking any proper photos of me wearing it!In the meantime I've got skeins lined up just waiting to be turned into a Renfrew, a Rathtrevor, a few Strathconas (hey, Christmas is only 10 months away!)...and possibly a handful of Arbutuses (do I have to mention how many months there are until Christmas again?). Has anyone figured out how to get more hours into a day yet?If you want to get your hands on a copy of ISLAND, you can get print copies through Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk. If your LYS doesn't have ISLAND in stock, you should ask them to!For the eBook and individual patterns go to:

Want a chance to WIN your own signed copy of the book? Well look no further! Jane generously gave me a book to give away to one lucky reader, and that reader can be you!! Yay!!! Thank you SO much Jane for having me on your blog tour and for giving me the chance to host a giveaway on the blog for your fabulous book!! ♥

I also love grace - I am intimidated by an adult sweater having focused on baby stuff more recently but this is so beautiful I am inspired. I would probably look at knitting it with sweet Georgia brown BFL.

I love all of the patterns, but I have some Berocco Seduce that I would try to knit the Strathcona out of... it is listed as a worsted weight, but doesn't feel heavy to me... I would play around with needle size, etc. to see if I could make it work - I think it would be lovely! Thank you for the chance to win! Stephanie (indigodogmt on Rav)

I have loved Jane Richmond patterns for some time now, and the ones she has put into this book are particularly appealing. I knit many more accessories than sweaters, so I don't know which I would knit first: Renfrew (the hat), Arbutus (the cowl), or Strathcona (the scarf). I'm sure I'll eventually knit them all, but I don't know where I would start. I would LOVE to win this book! Thanks for doing this. Ravelry = suelknits

Oooh, so much to choose from! I can´t decide if I´d rather knit the Arbutus in some vibrant green yarn or Grace in black wool cotton. Or green. Or a red one. It seems like a really good cardigan pattern and I live in cold climate so I'd probably make lots... I'm ozelote on Ravelry.

I was actually at a knitting store recently and leafed through this book. It is so lovely. And I started petting some Sweet Georgia Touhg Love Sock in Silver. But they didn't have enough skeins to knit Grace..... so I walked out with nothing. :(

It was love at first sight for Rathtrevor, but this might be the motivation I need to try my hand at sweater knitting...so maybe Grace??? And I would have to do some major research before I decided on which type of yarn, so that is unknown for now.I will keep my fingers crossed!

I would really love to knit Arbutus, although all the patterns appeal to me! I really, really love cowls though, can't get enough. I might even splurge and knit it in some Sweet Georgia - any base, but I would want the SAFFRON colourway for sure. (SarahVV on Rav)

I have Grace on my 'to knit' list, and I'd love to knit it using Quince and Co yarn. The Quince yarns are really springy and light, they show stitch definition well, and I love the earthy colours. I think they'd highlight the sweet lace pattern on the yoke, and would really reflect the gently retro vibe that some of Jane's patterns have.

OOOOOHHHHHH I think I would attempt to knit them all! Love Grace though! And I'm BarbieWD on Ravelry! As for the yarn....maybe I can finally get to try some Sweet Georgia now that I've tried MadelineTosh! But I really don't know what will speak to me when the time comes....lol

I love Grace, it's s besutiful one, but lately I am all about accessories, so I would start eith Renfrew in Madtosh, it seems the perfect yarn for the hat, and can you believe I have never actually knit with Madeline tosh yarn?? So you see, I really need this book

Grace. Because I am trying to knit more large projects. It really is lovely, too. As for yarn, alas, I have few sweater size quantities in my stash, so I would have to buy more! Which means, I might try something new and knit it in the recommended yarn!!!

Well, let's put it this way, Strathcona in sweet fiber would be what I'd like to knit first. Had a lovely chance to flip through the book before gifting it to a friend. At some point I'm going to pick up a copy for myself as well. Thanks!

I love this book and I would knit up Arbutus first followed by Renfrew, then Strathcona....Hell, I think I want to knit them all.... I would have to useMadtosh or Sweet Georgia... worthy of Jane's designs.... thank you Heather, habaylis@gmail.com

I really love the coffee book idea! I'd knit the Grace cardigan with the 3 skeins of Mal Sock in Eggplant that I've been hoarding forever. It's the perfect mix of casual dressy, exactly what's missing in my wardrobe.Thanks for hosting this give-away!

I too really love the cardigan patterns that Jane has released. My first knit would the the Grace cardigan. I'd probably knit it in Malabrgio, because that is my favorite yarn, but I might consider Sweet Georgia yarns as well.ravelry id: micami

Love Jane's designs!! Have been trying to get a copy of Island but it has been sold out everywhere :( I want to knit them all but especially Grace. I have some Sweet Georgia yarn in my stash that would be perfect for it. Thanks for the giveaway.WoollyMomma on Rav :)P.S. Congrats Melissa on the release of your first pattern!!

I live in sunny FL, which really effects how often you get to enjoy the great knits you've put so much effort into so I'd love to knit Strathcona. It's a light and airy scarf that I can still enjoy wearing even in the FL weather. I'd use the opportunity to test out Knit Picks new yarn, billow.Rav ID: redpineapple

I've been in love with Grace for a while now...I love the simple design. You're right about it working in every color. I'm not sure I could choose! I'm not much of a hat person, but Renfrew is so pretty. I could be a hat person for that hat (in Tosh Vintage in a nice woodsy green, oak or moss).Rav ID: Torsaporsa

I love the Grace cardigan. I might knit it in some of my stash- like the pomegranate Quince and Co finch or some blue Artyarns, or I might splurge for a new yarn in which case I would try some Sweet Georgia.naomil1@verizon.net

I'd start w/Arbutus in some malabrigo silky merino that I've got in a yummy brown…after that I'd think I'd have to knit Grace! Such a gorgeous collection of patterns, thanks for the giveaway! I'm BeanerShnump on rav.

I would love to make the Grace Cardigan. I love it's graceful simplicity. I would like to use Sweet Georgia yarn. I've wanted to try that yarn for some time now. I just can't get my hands on any locally. With shipping costs what they are, I need to buy local. Thanks for the giveaway!

Wow – hard to choose! I would say the Grace cardigan, I just love how delicate it is. I would love to knit it in SweetGeorgia BFL – I've long admired her yarn from afar but have yet to knit with it! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

I'm divided between Grace and Arbutus....and well, I'll pick the yarn when I've decided because I'm determined to only buy yarn when I'm sure I'll be using it. I've never tried Sweet Georgia, but it looks lovely...

Hmm, it's a tossup between Arbutus and Rathtrevor. I love the length of the fingerless mitts, and the construction of the cowl looks like fun! I have a few skeins of Sweet Fiber Yarns I recently purchase so I'd like to give that a try.

I have four gorgeous one-off sort of mahogany colored skeins of Dream in Color Stardust that I got at the first Sock Summit that have been waiting for the perfect project. I now think they desperately want to be the Grace cardi! My Rav ID is RichelleCK.

You are right, I can enter even if I have the book and give to a friend. The small preview video totally convinced me to pre-order the book. The first things I knitted was the Rathtrevor, with some malabrigo yarn I had. Then I knitted the renfrew hat, in madelinetosh, and last week I finished the lovely Arbutus cowl, it was so much fun to knit. Since I just started knitting last summer, I am a bit intimidated by Grace, and I think I will knit some pullover first. But I find this cardigan perfect, and if I was an experimented knitter, I am sure that I would have started with Grace :) My Ravelry id is : mmeforest and I hope I will be able to put some pictures soon. :)

having just finished 'big' projects (a cowl neck jumper for my husband and a lacy summer cardigan for my daughter) i'm keen to get a few quick projects on the go (also necessary with a 5mos old!). i love the arbutus cowl and have a few skeins of dk wieght kid mohair that i bought from a local producer at our county fair. it's been sitting in my stash waiting for the perfect project...arbutus might be it! Rav id somethingsmissing

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